Olympic Excitement

[Strix]

Not having watched, could somebody give a recap of the torch lighting screw-up?

And tell me who lit it.

They had four pillars that were supposed to rise and form a shape that would be lit. Only three of the pillars got into position.

I saw Gretsky, Steve Nash, and a female I did not recognize. I didn't see the 4th person.

[alfred russel]

Other than the death of an athelete on the day of the opening ceremonies and the fucked up torch lighting... that was a good ceremony.  Beijing was a great opening show hard to top.. I don't think they topped it here but they didn't embarass themselves.. other than the torchligthing which they improvized with sublime effort.

That would be true, but fairly or unfairly today will only be remembered for the two negative things.

Beijing will probably never be topped. Even if you match the spectacle, you can't match the drama added by a country of 1 billion trying to use the olympics to open up to the world on its own terms.

[sbr]

Not having watched, could somebody give a recap of the torch lighting screw-up?

And tell me who lit it.

They had four pillars that were supposed to rise and form a shape that would be lit. Only three of the pillars got into position.

I saw Gretsky, Steve Nash, and a female I did not recognize. I didn't see the 4th person.

Thank you.

[MadImmortalMan]

I didn't care about the ceremony, but I just heard a rumor that Rush will play. I guess I have to watch now. 

They didn't.

Thanks. Now I can turn it off.

[Josephus]

Not having watched, could somebody give a recap of the torch lighting screw-up?

And tell me who lit it.

They had four pillars that were supposed to rise and form a shape that would be lit. Only three of the pillars got into position.

I saw Gretsky, Steve Nash, and a female I did not recognize. I didn't see the 4th person.

Thank you.

The third was a female athlete who was named Canada's athlete of the 20th century. I never heard of her, either.
That paraplegic athlete, Hanson, can't remember his first name was the first one in the stadium.

[DGuller]

BTW, I know that Kumaritashvili is a last name with a lot of letters, but is it really that hard for Americans to pronounce?  During the whole night I've heard it only once being pronounced as one word, which is all there is to pronouncing it correctly.

[sbr]

The third was a female athlete who was named Canada's athlete of the 20th century. I never heard of her, either.
That paraplegic athlete, Hanson, can't remember his first name was the first one in the stadium.

Google-fu says it is Nancy Greene

[Jacob]

So apparently Schwarzenegger was one of the Olympic torch bearers.  Anyone have any idea why?

[PRC]

So apparently Schwarzenegger was one of the Olympic torch bearers.  Anyone have any idea why?

Because BC makes a shitpile of money selling hydro to California.

[Jacob]

Because BC makes a shitpile of money selling hydro to California.

But that's not the official reason they give, is it?

[PRC]

But that's not the official reason they give, is it?

I don't think they gave an official reason... do they need to?

[Barrister]

Being totally ignorant of how Canada's political system functions I have a stupid question...

What does the Governor General do? Is it just an honorary title now or does it still have an important function?

99% honourary, but she does have an important role rarely.  The crisis a year ago when Harper asked her to prorogue parliament - she could have said no (and risked being a liberal-appointed, unelected official ignoring what the elected PM says).

[Syt]

Apparently Canada is a land where tattooed tough guys play violins, tap dance, and wear kilts.

Anyone have the names of the fiddlers?

[Barrister]

Ashley MacIsaac.

[Syt]

Ashley MacIsaac.

Thanks.